| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject: visited Buddhist temples in Korea? |
 |
|
I've read that 'threads focusing on religion are not permitted'. Please realize that even if we grant that Buddhism is a 'religion', this thread is on a matter of culture/ geography, NOT religion per se. This thread would have as much relevance to a 'cultural tourist' as to anyone else.
---
Anyway, have you visited a temple in Korea? Was it in a city, on the outskirts of a city, or in the countryside? Did anyone speak English? How was the experience?
Any information is appreciated :) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nikki15
Joined: 02 Jun 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: visited Buddhist temples in Korea? |
|
|
| DanseurVertical wrote: |
I've read that 'threads focusing on religion are not permitted'. Please realize that even if we grant that Buddhism is a 'religion', this thread is on a matter of culture/ geography, NOT religion per se. This thread would have as much relevance to a 'cultural tourist' as to anyone else.
---
Anyway, have you visited a temple in Korea? Was it in a city, on the outskirts of a city, or in the countryside? Did anyone speak English? How was the experience?
Any information is appreciated  |
I am not sure if you want information on just visiting a temple for a day trip, or information on a temple stay...but here is what I did.
I went on a one night temple stay with a Korean co-teacher. It was the Silsang Temple in the North Jeolla province. It was in the country, tucked into the mountains. We went on a 4 hour hike just to get there (but you can get there by road as well).
From what I have heard about other temple stays, this one seemed fairly relaxed. Some of the monks actually spoke a bit of English and would ask me questions about where I was from, etc. They were very kind. They prayed a few times a day, and you were welcome to view, or join if you wanted. Because we went with a kind of tour group (all Koreans, except me) we had a monk come speak to us about the Buddhist religion. Not in a 'preachy' sense, more of just a discussion about Buddhism in general. It was all in Korean though, so I didn't understand much at all.
I think if you are looking to do an actual temple stay, this one is nice and relaxed. You don't have to pray or join the monks if you aren't comfortable, but you still can experience the culture.
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/137 Here is a little information about the temple. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Skipperoo
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| How much does your average temple stay cost? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Unposter
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Korea boasts an international Zen center. They have a couple of temples, one is in northern Seoul, I believe it is called Hwa Gye Sa. The monks are from all over the world, including Korea, and almost all of them speak at least some English and some are native speakers. They have weekly meditation and Q&A session with a "Teacher" monk and it is free. They also do retreats. They have a website and you can do an Internet search.
The Chogye order, which also has a temple in downtown Seoul, also does retreats; as they are pitched to tourists, I assume they have at least one person who speaks English, though I have never done one.
There are Buddhist temples all over Korea and they are wonderful to visit and I have never been to one where people weren't friendly. Most are in the countryside and on top of mountains but some are in cities and some are on flat land. I believe there are one or two on the seaside. Go flip through a lonely planet or other guide book and you find lists of hundreds.
The Korean National Tourism Organization (KNTO) in downtown Seoul has a free travel library with hundreds of guide books for destinations all over the world in English.
If you are into temples, definitely go for it! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CasperTheFriendlyGhost
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It would be foolish to come and work in Korea and not see a temple, wouldn't it? Some of the biggies are Bulguksa, Haeinsa, and Beomeosa. Any websearch will turn up loads on those. If you're in Seoul, visit Jogyesa or Bongeunsa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
@Unposter:
Hwa Gye Sa. Oh I see, near Suyu station. Now that I visit their website I realize I've known a monk who practiced here! Cool :)
@CasperTheFriendlyGhost:
I'm actually a practitioner, but to keep the thread 'religion-free' I didn't inquire from that standpoint. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm a practitioner as well, and was wondering if it was possible for foreigners to go to a temple and practice in the same way that foreign Christians go to Korean churches? I'm not sure what the Buddhist temple culture is like, as I've heard that in some countries, the temples are only for monastics and not the public except during certain days of the year.
I'm not talking about temple stay, but actually going on a weekly basis in order to continue my practice (albeit in a somewhat different school).
EDIT: Just in case people get their knickers in a knot over this being a "religious post," there is a thread about churches with English services in Korea, so I think it is only fair that there be a similar thread about Buddhism. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
comm
Joined: 22 Jun 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think Musangsa is the only temple that is 100% English, which gives you the opportunity to learn and discuss with everyone there.
http://www.musangsa.org/english/sub03/sub03_3.php
I'd recommend it ^_^ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
